Into the Open

After dark each night of the Festival, multiple sites along the Wellington waterfront will light up with an array of large-scale artworks.

Throughout history, public spaces have been the setting for both shared catharsis and collective imagination. Into the Open is a programme of moving-image artworks that will be projected along the waterfront throughout the Festival. Responding to the programmes curated by Lemi Ponifasio, Laurie Anderson and Bret McKenzie, this three-week series brings into the open artistic visions of what it means to be human, together.

Every Monday, the artworks will change to reflect the spirit of each Guest Curator’s vision, so come back each week to experience art in the open. Follow the pathway of artworks or linger with a moment painted large with light.

Schedule

Week One: Sat 22 Feb – Sun 1 Mar
Movement, rhythm and stillness govern the selection of artworks for the first week of the Festival. These artists understand gesture as a way of connecting with memory, artistic tradition and emotions that have travelled across generations.

Yuki Kihara (Sāmoa, Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Pilar Mata Dupont (Argentina, Australia, Netherlands)

Ahilapalapa Rands (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Shahzia Sikander (United States, Pakistan)

Ana Iti (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Week Two: Mon 2 – Sun 8 Mar

The second week features expressions of sentience and empathy. These artists test our ability to connect across generations, species and with the non-human. Many also explore the potential for imaging technologies to capture and produce mauri.

Hye Rim Lee (South Korea, Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Nathan Pohio (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kai Tahu) (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Aliyah Winter (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Sasha Huber (Switzerland, Haiti, Finland)

Denise Batchelor (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Week Three: Mon 9 – Sat 14 Mar

The final week brings together energetic artworks that share in a sense of whanaungatanga, artistic and otherwise. For these artists, art and humour can be found in everyday settings – and imagination and a lo-fi spirit are all you need to connect with the world at large.

Mike Heynes (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Christopher Ulutupu (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

UuDam Tran Nguyen (Vietnam)

Elisabeth Pointon (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

Steve Carr (Aotearoa/New Zealand)